Hello - new to group Newly diagnosed

Hi Kieran

RT is less invasive and in a way a bit of a doddle. It's the added HT that can make it difficult with all the possible side effects but of course no everyone suffers in a big way.

I presume your HT is for longer because it's a T3.

Also once spread outside the gland there is an argument that better off with RT 

Only downside , if cancer returns surgery very difficult after RT but not so with RT after surgery.

Good luck, see what others say 

Steve 

Hi Kieran 

Hello and welcome to the group.

I am going down the HT/RT route and think I am better off - no invasive surgery and I am in control of all the HT side effects (just about!!).

As Grundo said once the cancer is outside the gland you are better of going down the HT/RT route. We are all different and in each case our journey is affected by our own body and other circumstances - some people don't have issues with HT some do - I have managed to control mine and the issues with RT are a small price to pay for what is in effect life saving treatment.

Check out my journey (and that of others) by clicking on their icon (mines Oludeniz Beach). Ask anything you want there are good people here with plenty of experience.

Good luck with which ever path you take.

Kind regards - Brian

This is quite a complex document to follow and was published in 2016 and things will have changed but it gives some statistics etc which you might find useful:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4985515/

ihave been trying to find out the benefits versus risks of short and long term hormone therapy!

good luck on your journey. You have a lot of travelling companions on this forum!

Hi Millibob

Hi Millibob I meant to say more than "hi" in my last post but pressed return too soon!  Thank you so much for getting back to me so soon. I will start a blog. Reading yours was very  helpful.  I have been keeping a paper journal but the blog may be handier.  It does help putting your thoughts down.  Somehow it can make things less scary.  We are the same age.  I am just not as far down the path as you.  I have  been holding off on the Adrogen Deprivation Therapy (which is sitting there in the cupboard) because the robotic surgeon I spoke with in Belgium said it would not help and might hinder surgery.  I have been luckier than most in that I can email my consultant.  As a result of the concerns I have expressed he is getting me seen soon by the oncologist and going to ask the MDT to review their recommendation ( RT and 2-3 years ADT).  In a way I would like to just follow this initial advice because it is a decision and the surgery after effects worry me ( incontinence and loss of erections) although I reckon that may happen anyway! I wish you the best!

Hi Millibob I meant to say more than "hi" in my last post but pressed return too soon!  Thank you so much for getting back to me so soon. I will start a blog. Reading yours was very  helpful.  I have been keeping a paper journal but the blog may be handier.  It does help putting your thoughts down.  Somehow it can make things less scary.  We are the same age.  I am just not as far down the path as you.  I have  been holding off on the Adrogen Deprivation Therapy (which is sitting there in the cupboard) because the robotic surgeon I spoke with in Belgium said it would not help and might hinder surgery.  I have been luckier than most in that I can email my consultant.  As a result of the concerns I have expressed he is getting me seen soon by the oncologist and going to ask the MDT to review their recommendation ( RT and 2-3 years ADT).  In a way I would like to just follow this initial advice because it is a decision and the surgery after effects worry me ( incontinence and loss of erections) although I reckon that may happen anyway! I wish you the best!

Hi Worriedwife - thank you so much for getting back to me so quickly.  I have to admit I skimmed the paper but there is some hope in there.  I have also read a canadian paper that compared 6 months  36 months and a new 18 month regime of ADT and found the 18months optimal in terms of side effects without loosing efficacy and was better than 6 mths in terms of outcomes. See https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29980331/  Many thanks for your interest

Thanks for this, Kieran. It’s the evidence I’ve been seeking!  I hope you can make an 8nformed decision about your next steps and that all goes well.

Kieran,

Welcome, I see you are already in good hands here.

I kept a diary from the day I was diagnosed in May 2021.  Now, I am glad I kept it going, I'm nearly onto my 9th diary now.

Everyday I look back at this time 12 months ago to see how I was feeling, coping, etc...

If you can, please try to keep up your paper journal.

Best of luck with your journey.

Thanks Steve. That is good encouragement. I will keep up the paper journal.

I hope things are going well with you

Kieran